NGD - CS '66 Dakota Red Jaguar

[B.T.]

A nice parchment guitar would do this guitar (and colour) some well deserved contrast and justice!

I was also thinking about going crazy and trying a gold anodized aluminum pickguard, love those on red JM's but not sure how it would look with the chrome control plates?

Likely spectacular. I've installed gold anodized guards on a few guitars to date and they've all looked great with chrome hardware. If you really want it to look sharp shoot it with a few coats of clear gloss lacquer like they did back in the day, lightly sanding between coats.

[sonicmander]

A nice parchment guitar would do this guitar (and colour) some well deserved contrast and justice!

I was also thinking about going crazy and trying a gold anodized aluminum pickguard, love those on red JM's but not sure how it would look with the chrome control plates?

Likely spectacular. I've installed gold anodized guards on a few guitars to date and they've all looked great with chrome hardware. If you really want it to look sharp shoot it with a few coats of clear gloss lacquer like they did back in the day, lightly sanding between coats.

Any pics of ones you've installed? I really dig the brushed flat look of the vintage ones like you mentioned!

[B.T.]

I was also thinking about going crazy and trying a gold anodized aluminum pickguard, love those on red JM's but not sure how it would look with the chrome control plates?

Likely spectacular. I've installed gold anodized guards on a few guitars to date and they've all looked great with chrome hardware. If you really want it to look sharp shoot it with a few coats of clear gloss lacquer like they did back in the day, lightly sanding between coats.

Any pics of ones you've installed? I really dig the brushed flat look of the vintage ones like you mentioned!

Here's one on my current Strat. They look really classy with a lacquer top coat but probably more important the way they wear looks more like the originals wear patterns. The other one is a Bakelite scratch guard I put on a Jag also shot with gloss lacquer, also wear like the early black guards.

Edit: The photos don't really show it well, maybe I can get a better shot. But with both they're almost mirror finishes. You can see the reflection of the trem bar in the guard on that Strat. You won't get that with the stock anodized guards.

[sonicmander]

Likely spectacular. I've installed gold anodized guards on a few guitars to date and they've all looked great with chrome hardware. If you really want it to look sharp shoot it with a few coats of clear gloss lacquer like they did back in the day, lightly sanding between coats.

Any pics of ones you've installed? I really dig the brushed flat look of the vintage ones like you mentioned!

Here's one on my current Strat. They look really classy with a lacquer top coat but probably more important the way they wear looks more like the originals wear patterns. The other one is a Bakelite scratch guard I put on a Jag also shot with gloss lacquer, also wear like the early black guards.

Edit: The photos don't really show it well, maybe I can get a better shot. But with both they're almost mirror finishes. You can see the reflection of the trem bar in the guard on that Strat. You won't get that with the stock anodized guards.

Looks great on that strat, where did you source yours? also love the aluminum jag knobs

[B.T.]

Looks great on that strat, where did you source yours? also love the aluminum jag knobs

That's an OEM Fender guard. They do a good job but don't shoot the lacquer top coat. The plates on the Jag are chrome and everything else is stainless steel including the knobs.

I had those knobs on a IBM Jazzmaster, mint guard, aged white plastic pup covers and slector, with all metal parts brushed/smooth stainless steel. Upper knobs in raw aluminum. That looked Apollo Program worthy. Really cool look. When I sold that I had those knobs laying around and they worked pretty well on that Jag.

Kinda was going for that mid/late 70's punk esthetic with the black guard on Oly white, aka tuxedo. Turned out pretty sweet. It was my intention from the get-go to do it up like that but I got sidetracked with Tort guards and none really felt right. I love the hell out of it now, I should have gone with my gut instincts out of the gate.

That '66 Dakota would look really nice with an anon gold guard, black pup covers and trem tip might also make that pop.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I’m not usually a Dakota Red person. But, this one looks so good.

[BoringPostcards]

I’m not usually a Dakota Red person. But, this one looks so good.

Same here. For me, it’s the tort that makes it look better, IMHO.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I’m not usually a Dakota Red person. But, this one looks so good.

Same here. For me, it’s the tort that makes it look better, IMHO.

Absolutely. I wouldn’t change it unless it was for a more authentic looking tort.

[sonicmander]

I’m not usually a Dakota Red person. But, this one looks so good.

Same here. For me, it’s the tort that makes it look better, IMHO.

Yea its grown on me how it makes the cream covers and binding really pop! Not sure how the custom shop does their tort, I kind of dig how splotchy it looks compared to something like a Spitfire

[smjenkins]

Seeing this Cross Marauder was the moment I believed in Dakota + tort.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=94472&hilit=cross&s ... 0#p1662861



Reminds me of your Jag.

[Daitong II]

Hot damn to all these Dakota Red guitars. Stop doing this to me!!

[Jaguar018]

I vote parchment. Jaguars never had gold guards so if you did that you might get struck by lightning or something. No tolerance for unique aesthetic ideas here!

[Ice Tre]

That's incredibly beautiful. The richest red I've ever seen on a guitar. I don't know how it sounds or feels but visually, it's a work of art.

[sonicmander]

That's incredibly beautiful. The richest red I've ever seen on a guitar. I don't know how it sounds or feels but visually, it's a work of art.

Well said, I am very fortunate to say it's bark and bite are equally matched. One of those the neck melts into your hand

[sonicmander]

I vote parchment. Jaguars never had gold guards so if you did that you might get struck by lightning or something. No tolerance for unique aesthetic ideas here!

Don't make me put an acrylic guard on it, then the real apocalypse happens